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Virginia
Sometimes the (Virginia) Blues is Just a Passing Bird: Days 60–64 – The Trek
Day 60: Niday Shelter to Four Pines Hostel; 16.7 miles
Predictably, after just grazing around my food bag for “dinner” last night, I felt weak by the morning. Sparks gave me one of her GoMacro bars to supplement my breakfast. I’d given her a protein bar the other day, so it felt like a delicious exchange!
Sparks and I hiked a few miles together and came to a gap where trail angel Jason provided cold drinks. There was also a trash can nearby (this is a big deal)! AND Banjo happened to be sitting with Jason, so all of us got to reunite.
Sparks, Banjo, and I hiked together for a while up the mountain to Dragon’s Tooth. Banjo and I hiked a little faster on the climb today and once we were on the ridge line for a while, it started storming. I felt nervous, but we were in a position where it felt like the quickest way out was through.
The thunder subsided by the time we made it to Dragon’s Tooth, then we started heading down the steep rock face toward Four Pines Hostel. I put one trekking pole in my backpack so I’d have a free hand and extended the other to what I like to call “adventure mode.” It was kinda fun — we just took it slowly in the rain.
We saw Ramen Bomb in the distance as we approached Four Pines. I couldn’t wait to hear about his weekend with his professor and reconnect. When we sat down, Sparks’ husband Paul (aka F Minor) presented us with some burritos, chocolate milk, and protein bars!
The evening passed too quickly: I took my first outdoor shower, RBT played mandolin, and Banjo played banjo. We talked with Sparks, F Minor, Buck Wild, and a group of mothers and daughters. I met a crew from Michigan (we outnumbered everyone!) and roasted marshmallows by a huge campfire.
Banjo with banjo
Ramen Bomb Tom with mandolin
Great bonfire! Thanks for capturing the moment, Sparks! 📸
I have a feeling I won’t get much sleep tonight in the bunkhouse, but I’m so excited to finish the Virginia Triple Crown tomorrow!
Day 61: Four Pines Hostel to Lambert’s Meadow Campsite; 16.5 miles
There are places on the AT I’d known about for years, but they seemed like a faraway dream — or even just the seed of an idea. McAfee Knob is one of those places. Maybe it’s silly, but it felt surreal waking up at the hostel knowing I’d hike up to meet McAfee today and finish the Virginia Triple Crown.
After talking for a while with Data and Badger, I walked the 1/3 mile back to trail. It would be another day of few water sources, so RBT and I started the day weighed down with plenty of water from the hostel. Banjo had left already — he has to hike ahead to get to a certain place in time for his aunt’s birthday. We’ll see him again next week.
RBT and I pushed through the heat of exposed, steep pastures and moved up and down ridge lines. Once we got to the parking lot for McAfee Knob, we stopped in the shade for a quick rest to book a hotel in Roanoke.
The climb to McAfee Knob was gradual and (thankfully) shady. We saw a baby rattlesnake as soon as we arrived!
Sorry, Mom!
RBT and I took the classic pictures — McAfee is the most photographed spot on the Appalachian Trail, after all — had a snack, then were off to Tinker Cliffs.
Out of all the VA Triple Crown, I think I worked the hardest for Tinker Cliffs. It’s a steep climb going NOBO (the steep part is maybe 1.5–2 miles long?), but now that I have my hiker legs, it wasn’t too bad. These thighs feel like tractors, strong enough to hike and hike and hike even when the rest of me would like to sleep.
Taking in the views at Tinker Cliffs!
There was some light rain on the way up to the cliffs that cleared just in time for some gorgeous golden hour views. After walking along the cliffs for about half a mile, the trail wound back down the mountain to our campsite for the night.
Lambert’s Meadow Campsite is right by a creek. After a few days of long water carries, it feels indulgent to use and drink as much water as we want tonight.
I ate chili ramen with peanut butter and peanuts then drifted off without taking a wet wipe bath. I figured we’ll have a short half day tomorrow with showers at the end of our hike. However, I ended up waking up to give myself a good bird bath anyway. I can’t stand feeling dirty. Am I the cleanest thru-hiker (not platinum blazing) out here? Probably not. But maybe.
Day 62: Lambert’s Meadow Campsite to Daleville; 9.5 miles
Into town we go! I got to enjoy a lovely ridge walk, Mexican food for lunch, and a truly life-giving nap at Roanoke’s Econolodge. RBT and I ventured out for Subway and Wendy’s after sunset and had to walk through the drive-thru lines for both. Weird. Anyway, day 62 provided a top-notch lazy afternoon and a great night’s sleep.
Ridgeline break!
Feed us. Please.
Day 63: Zero in Roanoke
I’ve been looking forward to this day in Roanoke for weeks — Banjo lives in the city and Plantasia told me it’s worth checking out.
After hitting up the hotel breakfast, Ramen and I walked a mile into town, stopping at McDonald’s on the way (I got a strawberry banana smoothie). We also stopped at the post office to ship some winter clothes home. RBT wanted to check out a bookstore, and I think it’s the first time I’ve ever left one empty handed.
Next we went to Walkabout Outfitters where I picked up a new Kula Cloth. Unfortunately, there does indeed come a time where the cloth doesn’t really ever smell clean — even after laundering it. I reached that point about 250 miles in and suffered for a few hundred more. I also bought new Darn Tough socks because one of my pairs had holes worn into the heels, and the other pair was nibbled up by a mouse. I’ll trade them in after trail for new ones.
I picked up some postcards at Chocolate Paper, then wrote on them at Mill Mountain (accompanied by an iced mocha). RBT and I consumed cheese fries and hard kombuchas at Jack Brown’s, then went to a music store because RBT was considering picking up a mandolin for trail. Later on, we met up with my Aunt Jayne and Uncle Ron for dinner.
Currently in my sleeping bag wishing I’d ordered more of these cheese fries when I had the chance.
It was so, so good to spend time with family after my recent bout of homesickness. Ron (aka Splat Man) has hiked long sections of the AT in Maine and New Hampshire, so we all traded trail stories over pizza and wings before heading back to the hotel to continue the conversation there.
I started feeling tired around hiker midnight (9pm), so we parted ways until morning. But not before Jayne gave me a very-much-needed hug/massage. She gives the best hugs.
A good zero, indeed.
Day 64: Daleville to Fullhardt Knob Shelter; 5 miles
Splat Man and Aunt Jayne took us to Cracker Barrel in the morning, then drove us to BeeChill hostel to pick up my new shoes (!). Aunt Jayne surprised me by paying for them — I’ll think of her often as I walk the trail over the next few hundred miles.
So new!
It was time.
We drove to one more outfitter in Daleville before resupplying at Kroger. I was feeling sad about saying goodbye to my aunt and uncle and didn’t have motivation to hike. Ramen encouraged me to walk just five miles to the first shelter; sometimes it’s hard to leave town.
If it’s any indication of how bummed I was feeling earlier, I had to pull out my list of reasons for hiking the AT for the second time on my thru-hike today. I needed to remember my “whys,” what I hope to learn from the experience, and how I’d feel if I quit. Maybe I’ll share them with you here one day.
Ramen Bomb and I hiked up the five miles to Fullhardt Knob Shelter and stopped there for the night. We needed to apply permethrin to some of our gear and clothes and decided it was a “smiles over miles” kind of day. Plus there’s cell service here, so Ramen can watch the Yankees and I can schedule this blog. Don’t judge!
Also passed this sign today!
Over dinner, we chatted with a group of guys hiking part of Virginia together who met in college 30 years ago. They offered to take our trash and made us s’mores. Trail magic.
Before bed, RBT and I had some wine and dwelled in the sunshine. We hear the Northern Lights may make an appearance — maybe I’ll actually fully get out of my tent to pee tonight so I can look up at the sky.
Holy (beverage) trinity: protein shake, red wine, and water.
It’s been a challenging week for me, but it’s going to be okay. It might even be good.
Goodnight.
A little aurora borealis action through the trees!
CHARLOTTE, N.C. — In this world of college football, with the transfer portal and recruiting battles, bad blood is present more than ever before between head coaches.
That’s not the case between the Virginia Tech head coach and Clemson head coach Dabo Swinney, however. In fact, Franklin revealed at ACC Kickoff on Thursday that the two are actually close friends, dating back to their time at the Nike trip that various coaches take over the summer.
“Dabo’s my guy,” Franklin said on Thursday. “We go way back. We’ve been on the Nike trip for a long time. His wife and my wife are friends.”
The long-time Penn State head coach is making the move to the ACC after being fired from the Nittany Lions in October. 12 seasons of being with the program had Franklin hold a 44-21 record against top 10 opponents, an impressive record for a new conference foe of Swinney’s.
But when that trip comes around, there’s a camaraderie between Swinney and Franklin and both of their wives. In fact, the two hang out with each other instead of the other coaches at times. It simply comes to an “edgy” time in college athletics that raises tempers.
“I’m going to be honest, I wouldn’t say we’re necessarily like the type of people that love a lot of other coaches and a lot of other programs,” Franklin said. “It’s hard when you just compete year-round.”
On Swinney’s end, there are a few who could immediately come to mind among Clemson fans. Perhaps the most recent would be Ole Miss coach Pete Golding, who played the most significant role in the tampering of former linebacker Luke Ferrelli.
It’s a select list of coaches who make the good side of the Tigers’ head coach, and Franklin is certainly on that list. On the other hand, Hokies’ head coach has Swinney on his own shortlist.
“Obviously, tremendous respect for what he has built at Clemson and what he’s done at Clemson, and what he’s done for the ACC,” he said.
The two will see that close relationship face off at Memorial Stadium this upcoming season. Clemson will host the Hokies on Oct. 24 in what could be a potential title-eliminator for the ACC Championship.
Of course, the last game that we’ve seen the Tigers play in was against Franklin’s former team in Penn State at the Bad Boy Mowers Pinstripe Bowl. That game ended in a 22-10 contest that saw a foundation of Franklin players end Clemson’s season in disappointment.
Swinney will see many of those players once again in October, including starting quarterback Ethan Grunkemeyer, in that contest. The anticipated Hokie starter recorded 260 yards and two passing touchdowns on the Tigers in the Bronx that day.
Although friends become foes, another ACC coach has given Swinney his flowers for what he’s been able to do for the conference. In the upcoming moments, Franklin will look to prepare his team to prove itself on one of the biggest stages in the ACC, while Swinney looks to put his team back at the top of a conference he’s dominated for over 15 years.
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MARTINSVILLE, Va. (WSET) — Extreme drought conditions in parts of Virginia have prompted an emergency drought warning for a wide swath of the region, including Bedford, Campbell, Charlotte, Franklin, Halifax, Henry, Mecklenburg, Patrick, Pittsylvania and Roanoke counties, along with the cities of Danville, Roanoke, Salem and Martinsville.
The governor has warned that if conditions worsen, she will activate mandatory nonessential water-use restrictions.
In Martinsville, city leaders have issued a voluntary water conservation notice and are urging residents and businesses to cut back where they can. The request comes as local businesses that rely heavily on water say the drought is already affecting day-to-day operations.
SEE ALSO: Botetourt County residents adjust daily routines as voluntary water restriction continues
John Hughes, owner of John’s Car Wash, said the dry conditions have hit his business hard in recent weeks. “For the last 3 weeks, it’s been hitting pretty hard. We done three yesterday and haven’t done anything today with the drought and hot weather. Yeah, I’m really concerned about it,” Hughes said.
Restaurants are also feeling the strain. David Kitzmiller, an owner of Be Wiched, said water is essential for routine tasks such as washing dishes and preparing some menu items.
“We use a lot of water for washing dishes and some of our recipes if they limit us in anyway defiently can’t produce and its a scary aspect,” Kitzmiller said.
Kitzmiller added that cutting back is not always realistic for businesses that must meet sanitation needs. “Not really feasible for a business that depends solely relies on water to wash their dishes, so that can’t definitely be an impact there,” he said.
City leaders emphasized that the conservation request is voluntary for now, but they are encouraging everyone to do their part by taking shorter showers, turning off the faucet when it is not in use, washing only full loads of laundry, and limiting outdoor watering whenever possible.
VIRGINIA BEACH, Va. (WAVY) — Five people were charged after Virginia Beach Police conducted a two-day human trafficking and vice operation on July 3, according to the Virginia Beach Police Department.
The department’s Special Investigations Bureau conducted the operation, which was aimed at identifiying human trafficking victims, reducing the demand for commercial sex and targeting individuals seeking to exploit or recruit children for prostitution.
Detectives used many investigative techniques to proactively identify individuals involved in criminal activity related to prostitution, human trafficking and offenses against children. The operation was conducted in Virginia Beach, involving personnel from all of the bureau’s squads.
As a result of the operation, five people were identified and charged with offenses ranging from solicitation of prostitution to sex trafficking and crimes involving minors. Two vehicles and U.S. currency were seized during the operation. Other people were connected to victim services through Samaritan House.
The operation led to the following people being charged:
- Shane Carter, 28, of Norfolk, was charged with solicitation of prostitution.
- Robert Harris, 64, of Virginia Beach, was charged with solicitation of prostitution and assault and battery.
- Larry Pittman, 53, of Portsmouth, was charged with sex trafficking and use of electronic devices to facilitaate certain offenses involving minors.
- Kenric Frazier, 46, of Portsmouth, was charged with sex trafficking, use of electronic devices to facilitate certain offenses involving minors and solicitation of child pornography.
- Cameron Lewis, 24, of Norfolk, was charged with solicitation of prostitution.
Investigators also developed leads about people who are suspected of trafficking and exploiting others for commercial sex. Those are now active and ongoing investigations. There may be more charges and arrests pending further investigation and consultation with the Virginia Beach Commonwealth’s Attorney’s Office.
If you’re a human trafficking victim or know someone who is, you can report it to the National Human Trafficking Hotline at 1-888-373-7888.
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